Best Heavy Metal Songs

Mainly heavy and thrash metal songs from 80s and 90s..these songs defined original metal.. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.

The Top Ten

1Hallowed Be Thy Name - Iron Maiden

When you know that your time is close at hand may be then you begin to understand that life down here is just a strange illusion and that MAIDEN kicks ass!

Amazing guitar in this song, love Master of Puppets too but this is better

roanhaggar

HBTN is exceptionnaly inspired music, not just a sequence of catchy riffs. One of a few songs that actually plants vivid pictures in your brain and makes you see the whole story it tells. There is also an exceptional feeling of progression in the song: it starts with an atmosphere of gloom and despair and builds progressively to a climax expressing brilliant hope and vibrant power. Anytime I listen to this song I have to push the replay button, for it is never enough to hear it only once.

Everything that needs to make a song truly special and unique is here in Master Of Puppets, the greatest song ever composed by and band... ever!

Awesome song, title song of arguably the best thrash metal album ever made. METALLICA RULE!

Makes me bang my head all the time I listen to this song. This songs always push me forward to pick up my guitar and play it along...

[Newest]I agree with the last comment. Just perfect.

3One - Metallica

Yes Master of Puppets is an amazing heavy metal song, but its too overrated. One is truly an amazing song. All the solos in it are amazing, the vocals are outstanding, the bass is calm yet fun to play, and the drumming is amazing. The drums on the breakdown feel like machine gun fire pumping into you. Metallica at their best

This is such a tough list I hate not voting for iroon maiden but this song has it all Lyrics of war slow ballad like beggining creepy soft solos heavy chorus Really heavy break down The Extreme heavy as it gets machine gun chorus, And a Guitar solo To truly end all Solos This song is what stairway to heaven did to hard rock.

No doubt master of puppets is amazing but One is Extreme. You'll find some list on the internet for the best song of metallica but they don't contain MAP, while one is on the every single list. One has the greatest Guitar solo ever.

Slashhead

[Newest]This is a masterpiece, people

4Holy Wars... The Punishment Due - Megadeth

Absolute defining thrash metal song..

Love the riffs and the vocals are very good for dave mustaine. This song defines the thrash metal genre. Just listen and be amazed.

Larrythemighty

Holy Wars is the best song behind Master of puppets, just hear the intro, and all the song is amazing, the voice is a little bit bad, but the sounds of the instruments are amazing, the dificulty is incredible, to me is the second song of the list

[Newest]This is one of the best trash metal song

5Paranoid - Black Sabbath

Paranoid and Sabbath were the founding fathers of Metal, without Black Sabbath, great bands that succeeded them wouldn't have existed as we know them today. That deserves respect.

The best heavy metal song in my opinion

Simply one of the best songs (and albums) ever written in the whole history of rock

[Newest]"State of the Art" Rock Song!

6Painkiller - Judas Priest

This song is great because of the speed of the drumming and the guitar solo is just AMAZING! Rob Halfords singing is brilliant

This is a kickarse song by one of the greatest metal bands since the dawn of time. I'm sick to death of people talking up Metallica's songs. I'm a diehard fan of theirs but they're sellouts and only have a handful of good albums. They just don't compare to bands like Priest, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath.

Just go listen to Death's version of this song...ORgAsmIC

[Newest]Yeah this song is "Faster than a Bullet"

7Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne

This song definitely shouldn't be below Painkiller

One of the best songs in rock history!

Crazy train just make my day awesome!

8The Trooper - Iron Maiden

Another classic Heavy Metal song of Iron Maiden from their fourth album Piece Of Mind. This one should be in the top 5 along with Hallowed Be Thy Name

Just listen to the entry. It totally gets you hooked. It is so good there is not much explaining I'll do to show its greatness.

This song is incredible, definitely one of the best by Maiden aside from Still Life!

This song just amazes me. I cannot believe that humans are even capable of creating such a masterpiece.

What can I say... War Pigs is one of Sabbath's ultimate songs. Ozzy's voice has a nice droning and emotional quality, the riffs are great and unforgettable and has some of Bill Ward's best drumming ever.

[Newest]The first true heavy metal song in my opinion. It is amazing that this was played in 1970, coming out of nowhere.

The Contenders

This was thrash metal taken to a much higher level. Its got speedy solos, crushing riffs, and dimebag's smashing solid-state guitar tone!

[Newest]Pantera kicks everyone's ass

12Iron Man - Black Sabbath

People vote for Metallica because its the only metal they know, people vote for Black Sabbath because they know all about metal.

There is no doubt this is the best heavy metal song... Master of puppets is also very good but not better than Iron Man

This song started heavy metal.. slow, heavy and an absolute classic

[Newest]It's black Sabbath need I say more

13Fear of the Dark - Iron Maiden

In a nutshell, Epic Lyrics, Gruesome Solo, Superb Presentation. This is pure maiden experience. You should kill yourself if you love Iron Maiden and haven't heard this. Deserves more, than it gets. Best of '91.

No.25? What the hell? How is that down here? This is an amazing song. They mite not be one of the best bands ever but this song is AMAZING. Definitely one of the best metal songs. Just listen to it once and you'll love it!

This song is silence and beatiful, a masterpiece from Iron maiden

[Newest]By far 1 of the best rock songs ever

14Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath

This song is the DEFINITION of heavy metal. Yes, I love Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax (true dark heavy metal bands) as well as 80's classics like AC/DC, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and even 70's bands like Deep Purple, Black Sabbath (with Ozzy) and Led Zeppelin. But this song simply captures THE SPIRIT of heavy metal. A MASTERPIECE!

15Angel of Death - Slayer

I agree with the post below... I have been a Metallica, Pantera, Megadeth and Anthrax fan for decades. For some reason I never really listened to Slayer until about 8 yrs ago when cast down was the only song on my playlist. I started to listen to pandora radio (pantera radio) and they played a ton of Slayer... Angel of Death is by far the best opening heavy song of all time! I've seen Slayer twice now in concert in less than a year and they are great... It's no wonder they are seeing a huge resurgence. This song should be at the top!

SLAYER! Very good very heavy metal band I think they are heavier than mettalica and Angel Of Death should be at the top!

The lyrics... So Dark! The guitar... So Insane! Simply the Best...

[Newest]Should be somewhere around 4... One of the best songs ever

16Raining Blood - Slayer

How the hell is this only 39?! Raining blood is one of the very best songs of all time and should at least be in the top 5, maybe even number 1. EPIC song.

Slayer is kick ass

I hate the lyrics for angel of death.. its promoting racism and murder... raining blood and that sounds good though

17Holy Diver - Dio

Epic song, I consider Dio to be the greatest and most underrated singer of metal

This is a top 3! Not 43

Best heavy metal song ever

[Newest]One of the best!

18The Hellion / Electric Eye - Judas Priest

How is this all the way at 63? That just isn't right! This song is a classic!And come on, really? Nickelback? Stone Sour? I like those bands but they aren't metal at all.

This list is so worng...

19Walk - Pantera

Ultimate getting pumped song before stepping onto the ice to thrash people!

It is awesome and you feel the music very nice.

Hell, that guitar riff is addicting.

IronSabbathPriest

20Before I Forget - Slipknot

Absolute Heavy on Ears. Truely a best Metal music

Best ever I can't listen to them all day, I even go to bed listen to their music! Best song ever!

Slipknot is the best band in the world

[Newest]Not too loud for my ears but... I like it and one of the best!

21Ride the Lightning - Metallica

Best song and best album by Metallica... Metallica is really a great band all songs of Metallica are every where in these list... It is my favourite band I'm just waiting for there new album...

Ride the lightning is bad ass

22Electric Funeral - Black Sabbath

23Enter Sandman - Metallica

It's the first metal song I had listened and still one of the best...

The best lullaby I've ever heard ^^ Also one of Metallica's best!

Bitch please it deserves 1st place

24Stargazer - Rainbow

Epic song! Invented power and symphonic metal back in 1976! Blackmore-Dio-Powell-Carey-Bain at their musical peak! Truly belongs in top 10

25Fade to Black - Metallica

26Cemetary Gates - Pantera

I don't know what to say I just like this song, when I hear the opening guitar section it reminds me of the Canals in Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Dimebag's plays the guitar like a virtuoso.

The vocals and riffs are too powerful to be this low on the list. Should be at least ten. M/

This is a joke right, if this isn't in the top 10 then there really is no point to this list.

33Push It - Static X

This song is pure adrenaline.

34Hangar 18 - Megadeth

This is a great metal song to be in top 5

35Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Iron Maiden

I love this song, great riffs great everything, I always can't wait after the slow put as that is where the fun begins.

My fave maiden song and one of metals finest.

IronSabbathPriest

36Alison Hell - Annihilator

37Voodoo - Black Sabbath

Heavy metal at its core

38Disciple - Slayer

39Beyond the Realms of Death - Judas Priest

40Seventh Son of a Seventh Son - Iron Maiden

Toptrack from iron maiden, the best voice, sound and rhythm of this song is from the middle of the song and to the end.

Good songs that varies from silent to high music sounds

41Trial by Fire - Testament

42Tears Don't Fall - Bullet For My Valentine

Obviously can't be in the top 10 because it's not nearly as deserving as the kings of heavy metal such as Metallica, maiden, priest, etc.

But I'm just going to vote it up because people have to realize songs like this ARE heavy metal! Most elitists my trash on it because it's the new wave of "metalcore" with a lot more emotion put into it, as well as the fan base being mostly teenage girls.

This song bleeds pure emotion from start to finish, just like any song by maiden or priest. it's just the new generation. don't shun it.

Not the best but deserves to be in the best

Best Metal song from this list

43Sonne - Rammstein

44Child In Time - Deep Purple

Ritchie Blackmore the Living Legend

Epic! Also one of the best vocal performances in metal (Ian Gillan).

Metal_Treasure

45Time What Is Time - Blind Guardian

46Phantom of the Opera - Iron Maiden

One of the best metal tracks from one of the premier metal bands of all time. I would rank this masterpiece in the top 10 of maiden's best. Tempo changes and Classic Steve Harris laying it down makes this one of my all time favorites.

Such a fab song... You don't get the hang of it at once... But when you complete the song n listen to it once more.. You r blown by its sheer beauty n solos... Iron Maiden really kicks ass.. Up the Irons

Way too low on this list.

47Dance of Death - Iron Maiden

This song is awesome. The first time I heard this song I instantly downloaded it and then used it to go to sleep. I usually use Iron Maiden The Trooper to go to sleep but this one is even better.

I seriously want an explanation why this song is so low on the chart!

Avenged sevenfold is by far my favorite but dance if death has got to be the coolest song ever made

48Beast and the Harlot - Avenged Sevenfold

Very technical and hard to match in skill. It's definitely metal, but heavy metal is such a board genre. This should be included, for sure, in the top 10. Classics are great. But you're missing a lot of these list these days. Take "The Ivory Gates of Dreams" -- there is a lot that needs to be here. You cannot deny this up coming band. It's okay for you to not like them. But you should try a listen to this song...seriously.

49Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold

This is a song that deserves a higher ranking

50The Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden

Best metal song Ever, what is wrong with this list?

Possibly Iron Maidens best song. Classic.

How can this be at 111? This world really deserves to finally die...

51Bark at the Moon - Ozzy Osbourne

52Mr. Crowley - Ozzy Osbourne

53Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden

This is one of the BEST SONG EVER!

54Fight Fire With Fire - Metallica

55Symphony of Destruction - Megadeth

56In Your Face - Children of Bodom

BIG OLD SCYTHE IN YOUR FACE! Love this song

57Hell Bent for Leather - Judas Priest

58Screaming for Vengeance - Stereoman

59Tornado of Souls - Megadeth

Why does everybody like crap like Avenged Sevenfold when they could listen to the last good thrash metal album ever produced?

The anthem of confusion ridden angst! Definitely top ten for the solo.

60Nemesis - Arch Enemy

61Down With the Sickness - Disturbed

This should be your opening song on your heavy metal playlist.

Best heavy metal song ever

Its not place 51

62Hall of the Mountain King - Savatage

63Smoke On the Water - Deep Purple

64Afterlife - Avenged Sevenfold

There is no doubt this is the best heavy metal songthis is just awesome... I think everybody should listen the song... And just love it

This song is masterpiece...Of course its better than the above list,You should listen to THIS SONG!

One of avenged sevenfold's best!

[Newest]What? 33 position? It's not the best heavy metal song it's just the best song ever! Just listen to it and you'll just love it

65Warzone - Armored Saint

66Sign of an Open Eye - Gorgoroth

67The Killchain - Bolt Thrower

68Highway Star - Deep Purple

69Ghost Love Score - Nightwish

70Nymphetamine Fix - Cradle of Filth

The one of 2 songs I like from Cradle of filth. This song is like a fairy tale. The Girl sings really great and I love it.

Slashhead

71Hail to the King - Avenged Sevenfold

Awesome song. The best heavy metal starts when johnny christ starts to play.

Thunderstruck and metal had a child, and this is what came out. Need I say more?

72Dante's Inferno - Iced Earth

"Dante's Inferno" is a song by the American heavy metal band Iced Earth. The song was originally released on the group's 1995 album Burnt Offerings, but was re-recorded in 2011, with the current line-up of the band. "Dante's Inferno" is also one of the longest songs the band has ever recorded, with the original clocking in at sixteen minutes and twenty-six seconds and the re-recorded version clocking in at seventeen minutes and twenty-eight seconds. The song is based on the Inferno -segment of Dante Alighieri's epic poem the Divine Comedy.[2] In it, Dante travels through the nine circles of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. The circles are concentric, representing a gradual increase in wickedness, and culminating at the centre of the earth, where Satan is held in bondage. Each circle's sinners are punished in a fashion fitting their crimes: each sinner is afflicted for all of eternity by the chief sin they committed.The first circle is Limbo, where reside the unbaptized and the virtuous pagans, who, though not sinful, did not accept Christ. Beyond the first circle, all of those condemned for active, deliberately willed sin are judged by the serpentine Minos, who sentences each soul to one of the lower eight circles. In the second circle are those overcome by lust. These souls are blown back and forth by the terrible winds of a violent storm, without hope of rest. The third circle is gluttony, where the gluttons, guarded by Cerberus, are forced to lie in a vile slush produced by ceaseless foul, icy rain. Those whose attitude toward material goods deviated from the appropriate mean are punished in the fourth circle, avarice. They include the avaricious or miserly, who hoarded possessions, and the prodigal, who squandered them. The two groups are guarded by a figure Dante names as Pluto. The two groups joust, using as weapons great weights which they push with their chests. In the fifth circle, anger, in the swamp-like water of the river Styx, the wrathful fight each other on the surface, and the sullen lie gurgling beneath the water, withdrawn "into a black sulkiness which can find no joy in God or man or the universe."

Gustave Doré's original painting of Lucifer from the Divine Comedy.The lower parts of Hell are contained within the walls of the city of Dis, which is itself surrounded by the Stygian marsh. Punished within Dis are active (rather than passive) sins. The walls of Dis are guarded by fallen angels. Virgil is unable to convince them to let Dante and him enter, while Furies and Medusa threaten Dante. An angel sent from Heaven secures entry for the poets, opening the gate by touching it with a wand, and rebuking those who opposed Dante. In the sixth circle, the heretics are trapped in flaming tombs. The seventh circle houses the violent. Its entry is guarded by the Minotaur, and it is divided into three rings: the outer ring (which houses the violent against people and property), the middle ring (where lie the suicides) and the inner ring (the violent against God and the violent against nature). The last two circles of Hell punish sins that involve conscious fraud or treachery. In the ninth circle, the very centre of Hell, condemned for committing the ultimate sin (personal treachery against God), is Satan. Satan is described as a giant, terrifying beast with three faces, one red, one black, and one a pale yellow. Satan is waist deep in ice, weeping tears from his six eyes, and beating his six wings as if trying to escape, although the icy wind that emanates only further ensures his imprisonment (as well as that of the others in the ring). Each face has a mouth that chews on a prominent traitor, with Brutus and Cassius feet-first in the left and right mouths respectively. In the central, most vicious mouth is Judas Iscariot. Judas is being administered the most horrifying torture of the three traitors, his head gnawed by Satan's mouth, and his back being forever skinned by Satan's claws. Dante and Virgil finally escape Hell by climbing down Satan's ragged

73Battle Hymn - Manowar

Eric Adams is the man.. Briliant song..

Hino the batalha...The best of power heavy song

74Night Crawler - Judas Priest

75Black Metal - Venom

76Thrash Till Death - Destruction

77Forever Winter - Antim Grahan

Grt song! Makes me go wild.

Frover winter bubbles wind

78The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner - Iron Maiden

SPECTACULAR, I shall say no more.

You probably don't know but this is about 50* better than Hallowed By Thy Name. Just Listen, you will love it.

79Coming Undone - Korn

80Bed of Razors - Children of Bodom

81Locust - Machine Head

82Floods - Pantera

83Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue

Beautiful metal song

84Savage Heart - Pretty Maids

Beatiful metalsong from the national and international heavy band pretty maids

Its a beatiful lovesongs lyrich metal song

85Infinate Dreams - Iron Maiden

86Requiem - Avenged Sevenfold

87As I Slitter - Kataklysm

88The Sentinel - Judas Priest

This song is one of the greatest pieces of heavy metal ever written. While it may not be the best, it is still one of songs that expresses power and might in a way that only a heavy metal song can. It isn't a pioneer, but it stands tall among an age of giants, in a time where metal ruled the earth. It stands still as a powerful symbol of that time, and has everything that metal stands for. If this song isn't in the top ten of this list, then this list is wrong.